Question for those who have done TE customs...

[babystargazer]

Can anyone who's done this before give me advice on how you make an eye crystal stay in place?  I have some that look about right, and I'm trying to get them in a good position on a G1 baby.  I drilled a hole in the eye so I could put it in from the inside and have it stick out a bit, and then put epoxy putty under the bottom part.  But the putty keeps popping out, and the crystal won't stay in a good position and ends up looking really awkward.  I think it may be partially due to the squishy-ness of the babys' heads.  Anyone have any tips, or a better method?

[Shiromisa]

Would Gorilla Glue work? That stuff NEVER lets go, but make sure you don't get it anywhere you don't want it, since it dries to a milky white.

[Colorscapesart]

Hmm...I use apoxie sculpt and I make a "sheet" of it and place it behind the crystal, all around.  I haven't had any problems so far.  Maybe use more putty in there?

[Eluluu]

I use the epoxy putty GreenStuff, and make a disc of it and smoosh it around behind the crystal and into the cheeks sockets. if you follow the contour of the inside of the head itll help keep the pressure on the back of the eye. don't drop the eyes in until AFTER you've rehaired tho, cause hairing will bend the vinyl and will sometimes pop the eye back in.

[pandabear_chan]

First it is interesting to know which crystals do you use? Flat back or diamond shaped? I always use diamond shaped for my TE eyes. For these you have to drill a conical pyramid looking like hole in the head, to get the shape of the stones correct. I usually just glue the eyes in and they stay in place without adding any putty behind it.

Maybe a picture of your pony would be helpful?

[BarbedDragon]

When I do mine I cut the eye out and then sculpt/cut the inside with an exacto to make it more flush with the crystal. Then apoxie sculpt the gem in from the back. All after rehairing though because like Eluluu said they can pop out. If this happens I would try some Zap-a-GAP Medium glue. Be very careful to keep glues (particularly super/solvent based) away from the crystal itself because it can cause them to cloud or lose the reflective coating.

I've only used flatbacks, I'm interested to try diamond shaped though panda!

[pandabear_chan]

@Barbed

I can send you some with our trade

[BerryMouse]

First it is interesting to know which crystals do you use? Flat back or diamond shaped? I always use diamond shaped for my TE eyes. For these you have to drill a conical pyramid looking like hole in the head, to get the shape of the stones correct. I usually just glue the eyes in and they stay in place without adding any putty behind it.

Maybe a picture of your pony would be helpful?

Almost this =)

I just cut a hole, then superglue it into it. =)

[babystargazer]

I think I may have finally got it on the one that was frustrating me, I just put a big gob of epoxy putty in the head and let it dry, then put a little bit more in with the eye crystal.  Um, or not, it just popped halfway out again.  Ugh.. . I think I maybe just have an excessively squishy pony, which is what's making it so difficult to get right.  I have been doing the re-hairing first, cause I figured the crystal would end up popping out otherwise.  I'm using 7mm flat back crystal that I found at Michael's for really cheap.  I could see how using diamond shaped ones could be way easier, though I'm not sure where to find them.

[Eluluu]

ive been considering trying the pyramid ones as well, but im leery to using glue on it, but on the other hand my Green Stuff is... well... VERY green. and im sure itd muddy the color bigtime packing that behind it... and flatbacks are so easy to find! I may have to experiment and see what I like better.

[pinkkittywinks]

ive been considering trying the pyramid ones as well, but im leery to using glue on it, but on the other hand my Green Stuff is... well... VERY green. and im sure itd muddy the color bigtime packing that behind it... and flatbacks are so easy to find! I may have to experiment and see what I like better.

You must use the kind with the foil backs or the green stuff will show through

I burrow out a hole in the ponies head/eye with a craft knife big enough to fit the stone and glue in

I use apoxie sculp if I am converting a BBE baby to a TE

Love pkw xxx

[Eluluu]

yeah I was thinking if I continued to use Greenstuff with the pyramid ones id have to paint the points silver first, which kind of defeats the purpose... so ill prolly stick with what I know. =P I can just see glue being sloppy... too much hair and shiney finishes it can mess up if I slip. tho I do like how the pyramid ones seem to sit nicer in the sockets...

[Darkhorse]

Ever thought of using sequence?

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[babystargazer]

ive been considering trying the pyramid ones as well, but im leery to using glue on it, but on the other hand my Green Stuff is... well... VERY green. and im sure itd muddy the color bigtime packing that behind it... and flatbacks are so easy to find! I may have to experiment and see what I like better.

You could probably use epoxy to glue it, that's what I use for practically anything that needs to be glued, usually seems to work pretty well and dries clear.  I've definitely worn off the coating on the crystals just from messing with them so much, but I imagine I can re-paint them with pearlizing medium...hopefully...

[BarbedDragon]

Ever thought of using sequence?

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Where do you find those without a hole?!?! That's so pretty!!